Synodal circular says Sacred Scripture, read with faith, becomes a living instrument of transformation, renewing parishes, families and mission across all sections of human life.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Kerala (Indian Catholic News)— Calling for renewed reverence for the Scriptures, the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church says Sacred Scripture, read with faith, becomes a living instrument of transformation in every aspect of human life.
In a circular for Bible Sunday, celebrated annually by the Catholic Church on the third Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church invited clergy, religious and laity to deepen their love for the Word of God and recommit themselves to living and proclaiming it.
“Today, as the Holy Church observes Bible Sunday, a day dedicated to honouring the Word of God revealed in the Holy Scriptures and to contemplating its mysteries, we are invited, as the People of God, to renew our love for that written Word, to listen more attentively to His Voice speaking to us through its pages, and to commit ourselves anew to living by it and proclaiming its salvific message to the world.”
Describing Scriptures as “the priceless heritage of the Apostles”, the Dec. 10, 2025, circular, issued by retired Bishop Abraham Youlios Kackanatt of Muvattupuzha, Chairman Synodal Commission for Bible Apostolate, said they “remain the living wellspring from which the Church draws strength, unity, and renewal.”
“In every age, but especially in ours which is marked by noise, fragmentation, and spiritual weariness, the Word of God stands before us as light for our path, anchor of hope, and the sure guide of our ecclesial journey,” it said.
Moved by the conviction that the Word must take “its rightful place at the centre of Christian life”, the Holy Synod invited “each one of its faithful; priests, parents, youth, children, religious communities, and institutions, to a renewed reverence for the Scriptures.”
Sacred Scripture as encounter and foundation
Underlining Scripture as a privileged place of encounter with Christ, the circular cited St John’s Gospel: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. It added: “These are the Scriptures that testify about Me”.
Quoting the Second Vatican Council, it reminded the faithful that “the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ” comes through frequent reading of Scripture because the “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ”.
“Therefore, all should gladly put themselves in touch with the sacred text itself, whether through the sacred liturgy rich in the Word of God, or through devotional reading, or through instructions suitable for the purpose and other aids,” it said citing Dei Verbum, the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation.
The circular stressed that “Whenever we open the sacred texts with faith, Christ speaks to us; He walks with us, as He did with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and opens our minds to understand the mysteries of salvation.”
It described the Word as foundational for the Church’s life: “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ”. It added that the Church’s mission flows from Christ’s mandate: “Go therefore and make disciples… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”.
Without the Word, it warned, “the Church loses her direction, her vigour, and her mission. With the Word, she is ever renewed, vibrant, and missionary, bringing the light of Christ to every generation, nourishing believers, and transforming the world with divine truth and love.”
Parish life and the domestic Church
Turning to parish communities, the circular quoted Pope Benedict XVI’s post-synodal apostolic exhortation Verbum Domini (“The Word of the Lord”) saying “the parish must become a ‘house of the Word’”. It called for Scriptures to be proclaimed “with reverence” in every liturgical celebration, and for homilies and catechesis to be rooted in the Word.
Citing his successor Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the Gospel”), it said: “All evangelization is based on the Word of God, listened to, meditated upon, lived, celebrated, and witnessed”.
Beyond liturgy, it encouraged Bible study groups, catechetical programmes and youth gatherings so that “every member” may experience “the transforming power of God’s Word.”
The family, described as “the domestic Church and the smallest unit of the Universal Church”, was highlighted as “the first school of the Word.” Quoting Deuteronomy, it said: “These words… you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them at home and on the way”.
“A family rooted in Scripture stands strong against fear, division, and confusion,” it added.
Transforming power and shared mission
Reflecting on Scripture’s power, the circular said: “The Word of God that is proclaimed does not return empty but accomplishes that which the Lord purposes and bears abundant fruit, ‘in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty’.”
It declared: “Thus, when read with faith, Sacred Scripture becomes a living instrument of transformation for its hearers and readers: it converts the sinner, heals the wounded, gives hope to the discouraged, strengthens the weak, guides the confused, and rebukes injustice.”
Highlighting the Bible Apostolate, it quoted from Dei verbum, the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation: “Easy access to Sacred Scripture should be provided for all the Christian faithful. That is why the Church from the very beginning accepted as her own the ancient Christian tradition of having translations of the sacred books into various languages. And, as she has always held them in honour, she continues to do so.”’
“Therefore, every baptized person is called to be a servant of the Word, promoting its reading, study, and meditation, and bearing witness to its message in daily life.”
In conclusion, the circular prayed that the Holy Spirit would “enlighten our minds and inflame our hearts” and urged the faithful to carry forward the spirit of the Year of the Word of God.
“May this Bible Sunday become a moment of grace and to allow the Word made flesh to shape our minds, purify our hearts, and guide our steps.”
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